College Farm

The College farm adjoins the Morawa townsite. The farm has a full compliment of well equipped workshops and teaching sites, including an abattoir, piggery and 200 head Intensive Cattle Program.

The farm completes a full cropping programme each year. All Students gain experience in operating specialised farm machinery which feature the latest technology including a GPS guidance system.

Kadji station is available to the College for studying grazing management techniques and trials such as broom bush.

The practical experience gained by students enables them to develop self confidence and competence in agricultural practice.

The College farm participates in trials related to best farming practice. Recent trials have included The Barley Alternative. A deep drain has been excavated through a section of the farm to help control soil salinity. Students will be involved with soil testing and monitoring water levels and quality.

Cropping

The farm crops approximately 1,000ha annually. Varieties of wheat, barley, oats and lupins are the principal crops grown. Depending upon seasonal conditions, chick peas, lucerne and serradella may also be included in the cropping programme. Production using minimum tillage and stubble retention results from emphasis on soil conservation and land care practices.

The farm also carries out regular plantings of oil mallees and is experimenting with salt tolerant fodder plants such as the native shrub Rhagodia.

In 2004 equipment and storage was installed to commence using liquid ferilizer

Pigs

The piggery, which runs 40 sows on a batch farrowing rotation, turns out 300-350 baconers per year.

Students participate in the artificial insemination techniques necessary to ensure the success of this system.

The sheep flock comprises of 400 merino ewes plus lambs, and 300 weaners.

A cross breeding programme, using Suffolk and SAMMS rams is practiced to produce fat lambs for sale and for the hostel kitchen.

Students participate in a shearing school at the beginning of the each year and are involved with shearing and wool production throughout the year.

Flock management also includes tailing and marking.

In 1994 the College began using embryo transfer and artificial insemination to establish a pure breed Gelbvieh herd. This breed originated in Germany and is renowned for its superior growth ratio and dressing percentage.

The College exhibits with great success at The Perth Royal Show.

Intensive Cattle Program

Up to 200 steers are purchased each year and fattened, for a maximum of 100 days, in the Intensive Cattle Program. Trials are held to monitor growth using various rations including silage, hay, cereals, legumes and urea.